Insomnia is a sleep disorder where people have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep for a healthy amount of time, with over 770 million people suffering from sleeplessness worldwide. Currently, … Continue Reading 1.3 million patient genetics study identifies brain cells involved in insomnia.
The neurons of the human brain are widely assumed to be encoded within a constant genome, with set genetic variant products and functions for neuronal networks. Somatic gene recombination, known … Continue Reading DNA recombination identified in brain cells, linked to Alzheimer’s.
The ear is the sensory organ dedicated to hearing and balance in mammals and is usually described as having three parts, namely, the outer ear, middle ear, and the inner … Continue Reading Researchers identify three previously unknown neuronal types in the inner ear.
Viruses have evolved to be highly effective vehicles for delivering genes into cells, with these vectors becoming critical in delivering genes to treat disease or label neurons. As viral vectors … Continue Reading Novel viral vectors deliver useful cargo to neurons throughout the brain and body.
The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the brain, mediating various forms of synaptic plasticity and is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about … Continue Reading Previously unknown method of neurotransmission identified.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a long-term neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system whose symptoms generally come on slowly over time, mainly affecting the motor system. The most common genetic … Continue Reading Scientists identify a role for main Parkinson’s gene in the brain.
Identifying relevant genetic interactions contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders is a huge challenge facing scientists. Now, a study from researchers at the Whitehead Institute identifies a direct link between deletions in … Continue Reading Genetic body/brain connection identified in genomic region linked to autism.
To maintain homeostasis in the body, physiological imbalances produce motivational drives, one of which is thirst. This thirst produces a drive to seek and consume water, however, just how neural activity … Continue Reading Quench thirsting neurons in the brain identified.
It is known that rigidity and loss of muscle function associated with Parkinson’s is linked to a depletion of dopamine in the part of the brain that controls movement. However, … Continue Reading Gene mutation identified for early onset of Parkinson’s disease in Caucasians.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect around 1% of the world’s population and are characterized by a range of difficulties in social interaction and communication. There are many different genetic mutations … Continue Reading Researchers identify a new form of autism.
Despite the global medical community’s understanding of the significance of the prefrontal cortex in the consolidation of long-term memories, its role in the encoding of long-term memory remains elusive. Now, a … Continue Reading New study identifies region of brain responsible for conditioned fear memory.
It is known that brain structure is under strong genetic control, and while researchers understand that genes strongly underpin brain development, it is still unclear which specific genes are implicated … Continue Reading Neurogenetic twin study provides a new model of the human brain.
The development of neural connectivity is essential for brain function, and disruption of this process is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Now, a study from researchers led by McMaster … Continue Reading Study identifies autism gene which regulates dendrite development to slow down brain communication.
Intracranial aneurysms are a potentially life threatening neurological condition responsible for approximately 500,000 deaths worldwide per year, half of which occur in people less than 50 years of age. They … Continue Reading Gene associated with intracranial aneurysm in French-Canadian population identified.
It is known that Alzheimer’s disease is more common in African-Americans than Caucasians, however, the Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk profile for African-Americans is poorly understood. While more than 20 genes have … Continue Reading Study identifies 2 new genes responsible for Alzheimer’s disease among African-Americans.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. It affects more than 30 million people worldwide, including an estimated 5.4 million Americans. One in … Continue Reading Dysfunction in neuronal transport mechanism linked to Alzheimer’s disease.